The San Antonio Spurs were able to keep Manu Ginobili out of the FIBA World Cup this summer — when he started trying to train for it he felt pain where the stress fracture was in his leg, so they shut him down. Rightfully.

“The matter is settled. It is being finalized, it is a matter of hours,” said Thursday the national technical director Patrick Beesley.

Diaw is the captain of the French team but had sat out an exhibition game recently due to the insurance situation.

The Spurs wanted that insurance because they just re-signed Diaw this summer to a three-year, $22.5 million deal. Diaw is key to what they do on offense, his versatility as a ball handling forward who can score or facilitate and always seems to make the right play flummoxed the Heat defense in the playoffs. Chris Bosh called him crafty and one of the harder guys to guard in the league.

Diaw’s game fits well internationally. He will play in three exhibitions before the World Cup comes at the end of the month.

Tony Parker will not be playing for France, having decided to take the summer off to rest.

Well, one out of like 9 or 10 ain't half bad. I don't mind him so much. His game isn't one where he's likely to land wrong and bust an ankle or knee. He's more likely to bust an ass muscle or a bicep lifting food to his mouth.